Couldn't Get It Up

     

(CGIU posts are designed for those establishments that failed to satisfy me during my visit, thus,

I think the title serves correct ;o)

    In stark contrast to my last post, this establishment got the game allll twisted up. It sucks my first post home is a CGIU but these guys dropped. the. ball. I'm not sure they ever had it to begin with. It was most disappointing since I had been there before for a showcase presented by some colleagues of mine, but remember seeing the establishment in a very different light. Last time, I had high hopes for the Black owned eatery located just outside of Detroit's historic Sherwood Forest neighborhood. This time, it left a bitter taste in my mouth.    

    To add to the list of conflicting signals, when I entered the steamy vestibule of the crowded interior, it was thumping! The dining room was packed with "mid-level bouge" Detroiters dining and vibing to the jazz band playing live in the front corner of the room. They were so overwhelmed with  management had placed additional seating in what was (probably) before, open walkway space for passers by. I'm looking around to see some notable city officials and socialites alike, the band is going in and I'm getting excited! It's about to be BANGING. Right?? Why else would all these people be will to wait so long in this hotbox of a vestibule for a seat? 

Chef/Owner Don Studvent (left) and his colleague 

         My second visit to 1917 was sponsored by my new job as a Christmas party. This came my second or third week working at my new job back home. After a wait of at LEAST an hour, including having had a reservation for our group set since the week before, we finally were seated in the brightly and messy attic space in what seemed to be their overflow seating area. There was a comfy living room space in the corner but there was no lighting there, making it just a dark corner in a cold, liquorless houseparty-- exactly, where's the fun in that?! To avoid getting in a pissy mood all over again, they took extra long to take our orders, many of the items listed on the menu were not in stock, when our food did arrive it came in pieces, sparsely (I ordered blackened tilapia with garlic mashed and sauteed spinach that was pretty much served as a three course meal).  My coworker (older, suave dude with his chest hairs out and a gold chain shining THAT night, lol) who is happily fond of steaks and cigars was outraged at the fact that the medium T-bone he had been craving was boldly delivered a full on well done...I'm sooo not making this up. I wanted to love it...I did! I fought with my bratty little sister to come out to an awkward Christmas party with co-workers I had only just met to get some quality time with the spot and I had only got a sample of before. I had high hopes. But just like that asshole ex-boyfriend, 1917 American Bistro just couldn't cut it *shrug*

1905 Bistro (DC)

       So.... while chatting with some film cohorts on set, I got wind that 1905, right off the famous U Street, had the "best burger in town". Now anyone who KNOWS me knoooooows that I had to look into this, I. LOVE. BURGERS. I mean, how can one not? They combine all the different food groups in one delicious (and might I add, portable) treat. So I had to go. One Friday evening, after a failed attempt at entering some Gentleman Jack event with Howard Alum extraordinaire, my 537 roomies Aminata, Jamie and I scooted on over to see what the rave was about. After finding super close parking and dodging running rats like Kenyans in an obstacle course, we settled down at the quaint spot at about 9:45pm. When you walk up to the entrance, the term "hole in the wall" couldn't be more fitting, setting them up to underpromise and overdeliver.



Interior at 1905, day

   We almost missed the little black awning over a flight of ascending stairs for the bright lights and tomfoolery happening at the venues next door. No trepidation from me, I usually find the best foods in spots like this so....I climbed those stairs! Like a fairytale, when we reached the top it was as if we were in another land. Very warmly lit (and I'm a sucker for lighting), linen tablecloths and gold/brass decor...I was in heaven. When you first walk in, the bar is situated to the far right and you are standing in the dining room which expands to the left. Another warm, romantic date spot for the lovers :o) The music was chill, hip hop (The Roots, Talib, Common) loud enough to enjoy but low enough to still enjoy your companion--- perfect. I knew I wanted to order the 1905 burger but we also ordered cottage fries, tuna tartare, beers and I ventured to order some drink made with several different absenthes ( at those prices, I wanted to order a drink that was a one hitter-quitter!).

Aminata and Jamie

1905 Burger Au Jus

       The appetizers were perfection-- the cottage fries were actually those crispy thin "fries" very much like homemade potato chips. The tartare was tasty with lemon zest and olive oil and also paired with the fries so the different taste and textures indeed explode on your tongue (Mouthgasm! :o) The burger was served juicy and full on a brioche buns with Brie cheese(can you say yummm?), charred with a pickled salad mix. NO mayo, ketchup, mustard or nothing and it was spectacular! The server also informed us that the burger could be served au jus (with its own juice), more American-ly familiarized with the French dip sandwich. While the pic of the original version is serving me "Hillbilly Eats for 500, Alex!"-realness, 1905 was gracious enough to place the warm broth in a holder on my plate so I could dip to taste, as I pleased. Needless to say, it was magically delicious. I'm willing to bet money Lucky the Leprechaun himself was back there sweating over a grill with a block of Brie, looking too grown to be still be dressed as a fucking leprechaun...

        

      Nostalgia aside, if you're looking for an intimate chill spot (friends OR the new boo! ;o) near U Street, check it out.

Beau Thai ( Washington, DC)

   



             Right around the corner from my last place was a trendy little restaurant called Beau Thai. The spot is handsome indeed with walls adorned with glamour shots of Thai women, beautiful Oriental flowers and cityscapes of an industrial-era Thailand but the food??? Oh my God, the food! My foodie friend Holtmeyer and I would frequent this place for a delicious bite whenever we wanted affordable but DELICIOUS food  (which is always :o) On an early evening you will find tea lamps lit at every table with flowers (not overcrowding) as well as patio seating outdoors. The place becomes very chic and romantic, perfect for a date. They have standard Thai treats like drunken chicken, pad thai, Thai Iced Tea (which is delicioso!) but they also have lunch specials and featured entrees for that evening for the adventurous gastronome. While I was there, I was so lucky to have ordered the duck eggroll which is sliced and grilled to perfection and wrapped in their warm, homemade eggroll. It has sliced cucumbers and carrots but the best part is the delectable sweet chili sauce they serve alongside.

     

       The eggroll by itself is just fine but when paired with the sweet chili sauce??? *insert clip from theTrojan His and Hers here* Yes...it's that good. Also, they don't skimp on the good stuff! The shrimp fried rice had shrimps-a-plenty, the crab fried the same and I did especially appreciate the ginger infused veggies they so delecately cured for a well balanced, Thai  meal. I don't know about you but there's something about special treatment that gets me all in a tizzy. Like, have you ever bit into a delicious, juicy burger that was seasoned to perfection all the right toppings and you sit back and notice....they grilled the bread too! THAT is my shit...nothing shows the love and care put into your food as well as little touches like that. As a self proclaimed gastronome and lover of all things delicious, it's the little things that mean the most :o)


Have a good one!